Communal clashes occurred in more than 10 states across the country during Ramanavami festivities that were marred by provocative hate speeches. The common thread running through most of these incidents was the sensitive route chosen for procession, writes Mudit Mathur
Is India heading for planned conspiracy inciting religious clashes in the different states for the sake of pity interests of divisive politics in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections? The question assumes significance in wake of recent communal clashes which erupted in many states during Ramanavami festivities and in pursuit of saffron agenda of religious polarisation. The country appears more divided than ever along Hindu-Muslim lines – and for many, Modi’s BJP is to blame for the mailaise.
Reports of communal violence appeared from West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh during Ramanavami and Hanuman Jayanti celebrations that mar with provocative hate speeches. Many feel that religious festivals like Ramanavami, Ganesh Chaturthi and the recently added Hanuman Jayanti are all being weaponised to target minorities and create communal disharmony and religious divide.
It was a virtual repeat of the communal clashes that had scorched Delhi’s Jahangirpuri and Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone amid Ramanavami and Hanuman Jayanti festivities in April last year (2022). It seems that no lessons have been learnt from those deplorable incidents. This year too, the Ramanavami festival occurred during the period of Ramzan and provided the backdrop for provocations in sensitive areas where Muslims were observing Ramzan and prayers in the mosques.
Most of these incidents were reported during such processions carried out by different groups of saffron brigade like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal. Viral videos depict saffron-clad persons carrying weapons including swords and even guns taking part in Ramanavami processions. One of the videos that went viral on social media showed a man carrying a gun during a Ramanavami rally in Howrah who was later arrested from Bihar after his involvement came to light.
During these 10 days,Hindus celebrate Ramanavami and Hanuman Jayanti, Muslims keep fast as a part of the Ramazan month and Christians complete Lent that culminates in Good Friday and Easter depicting plurality of our multi ethnic nation.
Home Minister Amit Shah visited parts of Bihar that have been rocked by violence since Ramanavami and discussed the situation with the Governor V Arlekar. The anguish was more than palpable when he voiced his exasperation and remarked that “both Bihar sharif and Sasaram are burning and Nitish Kumar is helpless. He has lost control over administration”.
